astonishing

[uh-ston-i-shing]

adjective

1. causing astonishment or surprise; amazing.

   an astonishing victory; an astonishing remark.

astonishing

/ əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing great surprise or amazement; astounding

Other Word Forms

• astonishingly adverb
• astonishingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of astonishing¹

First recorded in 1520–30; astonish + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It set him on the path to attending the selective Cheltenham Grammar School; from there, even more astonishing to the author and his parents, he went to Oxford.

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When the agreement was signed in 2015, few predicted how quickly Chinese clean tech manufacturers would achieve astonishing scale, particularly in solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles.

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Neither seems to notice that the most astonishing, extraordinary fact of life is our existence.

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Meanwhile in Ukraine, drone warfare is evolving with astonishing speed and lethality.

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It’s even more astonishing when you realize Hawke has been planning to play Hart for over a decade.

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Related Words

• amazing 
• astounding 
• bewildering 
• breathtaking 
• extraordinary 
• impressive 
• marvelous 
• miraculous 
• spectacular 
• staggering 
• startling 
• striking 
• stunning 
• wonderful 
• wondrous